Interchangeable lens goggle adaptable to prevent fogging

ABSTRACT

Anti-fog, interchangeable-lens goggle adapted for use with a battery comprising: a body with a flexible posterior portion for engaging a user&#39;s face and an anterior portion; a lens having a resistive anti-fog element thereon, the lens adapted for engaging the anterior portion of the body; an engagement mechanism for releasably interconnecting the lens and the body; an interconnection mechanism depending from the body adapted for detachably interconnecting the heating element of the lens and the battery, the interconnection means operable or integral with the engagement mechanism such that interconnecting the heating element of the lens with the battery also reinforces interconnecting of the lens with the semi-rigid anterior portion of the body; and a strap adapted for holding the goggle on one of a user&#39;s head and helmet.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit and priority of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/548,253 filed Oct. 18, 2011, andU.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/587,908.

FIELD

This invention relates generally to goggles and more particularly togoggles that have easily interchangeable lenses for enabling adaptationto varying weather, lighting and goggle fogging conditions.

BACKGROUND

Goggle Construction Generally

Sport goggles, such as are often used for skiing, cycling,snow-boarding, motorcycle and ATV riding, paint-balling, orstandard-issue military goggles used primarily for military groundoperations, typically have comprised a plastic frame or body and a clearplastic, or polycarbonate, see-through lens. Sometimes the plastic bodyhas further been comprised of an anterior body interconnected to aposterior body, the foremost portion of the anterior body being designedfor attachment to, carrying and positioning of the lens a comfortabledistance from a user's eyes. The posterior body has comprised a foamrubber interface on the most posterior portion thereof for comfortablepositioning of the body on the user's face around and defining the fieldof vision for the user's eyes. Such conventional goggles have furthercomprised an elongated, elastomeric strap attached at either end thereofto corresponding ends of the anterior body for the purpose of holdingthe goggles on the head, or helmet, of the user by stretching the straparound the back of the head, or helmet, with the goggle positioned inopposing fashion on the face of the user. It has generally been acceptedand understood among goggle wearers that different colors of lenses havebeen advantageous for different lighting and weather conditions.

The Need for Easily Interchangeable Lenses in Goggles

Earlier conventional goggles have not provided for interchangeablelenses. Not only has this resulted in a much less useful goggle aschanging lighting conditions through the day have rendered a currentgoggle unsuitable for more easily distinguishing variations in terrain,especially snowy terrain of mostly a single color often having onlyslight shadows on the surface thereof to determine the presence ofvariations, but where the lens of the goggle has become damaged, orbroken, such goggles have required replacement of the entire goggle.

More recently, conventional goggles have allowed for replacement of adamaged or broken lens, or replacement of a lens that is no longersuitable for changed lighting conditions. In such goggles, the body hascomprised a flexible, but resilient, molded material forming arelatively deep vertically-oriented groove, often together with aplurality of notches on the lens matched with pegs in the groove foralignment and retention purposes. The notches and matched pegs have beendesigned to receive and hold the peripheral edge of the lens in avertically-oriented fashion in the groove and to retain the lens inproper orientation on the pegs relative to the body.

When a user has desired to remove such a lens, they have pulled theflexible body members apart, disconnecting the notches and otherwisedisassociating the lens from the groove in the body. Replacement with adifferent color lens has involved a reverse process of aligning the edgeof the lens, and its notches, with their associated groove and pegs,first fitting an upper, or alternatively lower, portion of the lens intoits associated groove and pegs, and then fitting the opposite portion ofthe lens into its associated groove and pegs. This process has beentime-consuming and cumbersome, making it difficult for a user to easilyinterchange lenses, so much so that many have determined to not make anattempt to change the lens in the open, but rather to use a lens thathas provided multi-purpose, though not ideal, use for most lightingconditions. Alternatively, where users have shown the patience necessaryto have repeatedly changed lenses, these goggle bodies have lost someresiliency, broken, or cracked, due to repeated stressing of the bodies,and this has led to a lack of a engagement between the lens and thebody.

Responsive to the difficulties of interchanging lenses for these typesof goggles, there have been developed goggles having articulated framesdesigned for opening and closing to allow easier changing to lensesadapted for changed conditions. An example of such a frame is providedby U.S. Pat. No. 5,815,235, to Runckel, for Ski Goggles With PivotalFrame Members For Interchanging Lenses. Similarly, published US PatentApplication No. US20110225709A1, to Saylor et al., for Eyewear WithInterchangeable Lens Mechanism, has facilitated the interchanging oflenses of such goggles with a biased outrigger, gate or latch forsecuring the lens relative to the goggle, the lens being further held ina proper orientation by one or more engagement members aligned with anaperture, or apertures, in the lens.

The Need for Anti-Fog Means in Goggles

Goggles are known to have become obscured with moisture when temperatureand relative humidity conditions inside of the space defined between thegoggle body and the user's face and eyes have been such that a dew pointhas been reached and condensation has formed like a “fog” on the innersurface of the goggle. This typically has happened when a colder innersurface of the goggle lens has come in contact with a now warmer andmore humid area enclosed within the goggle body. There are many possibleconditions which may lead to fogging of a goggle, since the dew point ofthe inside of the lens is affected by varying temperature, moisture,pressure and ventilation conditions. One common example of fogging hasoccurred when a person who has been skiing, cycling, hiking or engagingin other strenuous activity, stops moving as quickly as before, reducingthe amount of air flow over the surfaces of the goggle, such thattemperature differentials between the inner surface of the goggle andthe now warmed and moist air within the goggle caused by the physicalexertion and the enclosed space of the goggle have caused fogging.

Another example of fogging involves a significant increase in activity,increasing the amount of moisture and heat trapped within the goggle,primarily from perspiration and also from a higher incidence of exhalingmoist warm air that is associated with such physical exertion. In such acase there has existed a greater imbalance in temperature between theinner surface of the goggle lens and the warm, moist air now trappedwithin the goggle, causing condensation and resulting fogging of theinner surface of the goggle lens.

Thus, fogging is a very common problem with goggles and this hasoccurred in various situations involving temperature extremes, andparticularly warmer temperatures caused by perspiration and respirationentering within the goggle enclosure and which are warmer relative tocolder temperature conditions outside of the goggle body. Of course thisproblem has ranged from being annoying to the user, to presenting a verydangerous situation where the user's field of vision has been greatlydiminished while the user has been traveling at high speeds among fixedobstacles, such as trees, widely varying terrain such as bumps, cliffs,or other participants, or the user has otherwise been unable to clearlysee an intended target or an enemy combatant. The problem of foggedgoggles has resulted in injury and even death among goggle users.

Responsive to this common, annoying and even dangerous condition, greatattention has been paid to solutions to the problem of fogging ofgoggles. For instance, numerous efforts have been made to increase theamount of passive airflow into the goggle. Examples of such may be foundin US Patent Application Serial No. 20050193478 to Hussey, for GoggleAttachment System, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,665,885 to Masumoto, for Goggles.

Despite best efforts to produce a goggle that utilizes passive air-flowmeans for defogging the lens of the goggle, there are often presentconditions which have rendered passive air-flow means of de-foggingineffective. Such conditions have overwhelmed the ability of the passivemeans to overcome the temperature and humidity differentials presentedby exertion by a user in cold, icing conditions or accumulation of snowclogging ventilation means. Also, sometimes a user's clothing,especially such as scarves or face masks, have impeded intended airflowof such goggles, rendering them ineffective.

As a result, there have even been developed goggles with active,personal fans to ventilate the enclosed space within and the innersurface of the lens of the goggle to mitigate the conditions leading tofogging. An example of such a system has been provided in U.S. Pat. No.5,452,480, to Ryden, for Ski Goggles. One problem of such a device isthat it does not necessarily overcome icing, snow accumulation or otherblockage of outer goggle vents, thus rendering such a system lesseffective.

Regardless of the exact causes of fogging of a goggle in a particularsituation, it has become understood that sufficient heating of the innersurface of the lens of the goggle comprises an effective means ofremoving fog from the lens and preventing further fogging. Accordingly,there have been developed various means of actively heating the innersurface of the goggle lens. One such means has comprised the placementof wires, or a resistive film surface, on the inner surface of thegoggle lens, which wires or resistive surface have been attached to anelectrical power source such as a DC battery carried on the goggleheadband or jacket of the user in order to provide sufficient power toheat the lens. Examples of such a method of heating the lens of thegoggle have been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,868,929, to Curcio, forElectrically Heated Ski Goggles, U.S. Pat. No. 5,459,533, to McCooeye etal., for Defogging Eye Wear, and Published US Patent Application SerialNo. US20090151057, to Lebel et al., for Reversible Strap-Mounting Clipsfor Goggles.

Thus, while there have been devised independent solutions to a need foreasily interchanging the lens on a sport or standard-issue militarygoggle and the need for maintaining such a goggle fog free, there yetexists a need for a sport or standard-issue military goggle thatprovides not only an easily interchangeable lens system, but alsoprovides an active, effective means of heating the lens to preventfogging. In particular, there exists a need for an efficient andeffective means of both releasably attaching the lens of a goggle to itsbody and therefore preferably allowing for efficient, simultaneousinterconnection of the lens to a source for heating of the lens whennecessary to prevent fogging. Ideally, such a system would be easy tooperate, even with a gloved hand, and would be provided in a goggle thatis relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and is thus affordable, forsporting and standard issue military ground operation applications.

SUMMARY

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided ananti-fog, interchangeable-lens goggle adapted for use with a batterycomprising: a body, an anti-fog lens, a lens/body engagement means ormechanism, electrical interconnection and lens/body attachmentreinforcing means or mechanism operable with the lens/body engagementmechanism, and strap means for holding the goggle on the user's head orhelmet.

The body comprises first and second ends, a flexible posterior portionadapted for engaging a user's face adjacent the user's eyes, and asemi-rigid anterior portion.

The lens comprises an anti-fog heating element thereon and is adaptedfor engaging the semi-rigid anterior portion of the body a distance fromthe user's eyes so as to provide a shield to the eyes.

The engagement mechanism comprises a portion thereof attached to thelens and a portion thereof attached to the body, for releasablyinterconnecting the lens and the semi-rigid anterior portion of thebody. Preferably, the engagement mechanism further comprisestongue-and-groove members, or a tongue-and-groove seal, wherein one ofthe tongue-and-groove is on a periphery of the lens and the other of thetongue-and-groove is on a periphery of the anterior portion of the body.Alternatively, the engagement mechanism may further comprisecap-and-ridge members, or a cap-and-ridge seal, wherein the cap is on aperiphery of the lens and the ridge is on a periphery of the anteriorportion of the body.

The interconnecting means depends from the body and is adapted fordetachably interconnecting the heating element of the lens and thebattery. Further, the interconnecting means is operable with theengagement mechanism such that interconnecting the heating element ofthe lens with the battery also reinforces interconnecting of the lenswith the semi-rigid anterior portion of the body, and such thatdisconnecting the heating element and the battery also releases the lensfor disengagement from the semi-rigid anterior portion of the body.

The interconnecting means adapted for detachably interconnecting theheating element of the lens and the battery further comprises a hook onthe lens and a latch pivotably mounted to the body for engagement withthe hook of the lens. Such a latch is preferably operable to a firstposition to bias an end of the lens against the body, thus reinforcingattachment of the lens on the body, and to interconnect the heatingelement of the lens and the battery, the latch preferably also beingoperable to a second position to release the lens for removal from thesemi-rigid anterior portion of the body and to disconnect the heatingelement of the lens from the battery.

Alternatively, the interconnecting means adapted for detachablyinterconnecting the heating element of the lens and the battery mayfurther comprise a pivotably latching gate on the body, the gate beingoperable to a first position to bias an end of the lens against thebody. Thus, the gate reinforces attachment of the lens on the body andinterconnects the heating element of the lens with the battery. The gateis also operable to a second position to release the lens for removalfrom the body and to disconnect the heating element of the lens from thebattery.

Still further, in an alternative embodiment, the interconnecting meansadapted for detachably interconnecting the heating element of the lensand the battery may further comprise a stretchy silicone band around thelens and a post on each end of the goggle frame, or at intermediatelocations around the goggle frame, the silicone band forming a pluralityof stretchy bands, or loops, one band at each end of the lens, or atintermediate locations around the lens, and adapted to be operable to afirst position for looping or wrapping around corresponding posts at theends of the body, or at intermediate locations around the body, to biasthe lens against the body, thus reinforcing attachment of the lens onthe body, and to interconnect the heating element of the lens and thebattery, each stretchy band operable to a second position disconnectedfrom the corresponding post to release the lens for removal from thebody and to disconnect the heating element of the lens from the battery.

In this embodiment, contacts for interconnecting the heating element onthe lens and the battery may reside on the lens and frame of the goggle,or alternatively on the silicone band and the frame of the goggle or theposts at either end of the goggle. In this embodiment, the post maycarry buttons for control of the electronics, wherein the buttons may ormay not be covered with silicone.

Further still, in an alternative embodiment, the interconnecting meansadapted for detachably interconnecting the heating element of the lensand the battery may further comprise an outer peripheral member, such asa silicone skin, or anterior plastic face or frame, having one or moreinterconnection members, such as nub-like silicone engagement members,or alternatively more rigid clip members depending from the anteriorplastic face or frame, adapted for residing in corresponding receptaclesdefined around an outer periphery on the goggle body made of a morerigid material, such as plastic, each receptacle adapted for receivingand retaining a corresponding interconnection or clip member in a firstclosed position to bias the lens on the goggle body, thus reinforcingattachment of the lens on the body, and to interconnect the heatingelement of the lens and the battery, the interconnection members beingoperable to an open position disconnected from the correspondingreceptacles to disconnect the heating element of the lens from thebattery. In this embodiment, the lens either resides between the goggleframe and the outer silicone skin, or anterior face or frame, the lensbeing held in place on the goggle frame by the outer silicone skin, oranterior face or frame. In this embodiment, contacts for interconnectingthe heating element on the lens and the battery may reside on the lensand body of the goggle.

In another alternative embodiment, the interconnecting means adapted fordetachably interconnecting the heating element of the lens and thebattery may further comprise a pop-off anterior face having a pluralityof clip-like, or hook-like, engagement members adapted for positivereceipt and engagement in snap receptacles on the more rigid goggleplastic body. In this embodiment, the lens may reside between thepop-off anterior face and the goggle body, as in the case of thesilicone anterior face described above, or the lens may be part of themore rigid pop-off anterior face. In this embodiment, contacts forinterconnecting the heating element on the lens and the battery mayreside on the lens and body of the goggle.

The strap means comprises first and second ends, the first end of thestrap means being interconnected with the first end of the body, and thesecond end of the strap means being interconnected with the second endof the body, so as to be adapted for holding the goggle on the user'shead or helmet. The strap may comprise a traditional strap, or it maycomprise a silicone strap that is especially adapted for engagement witha helmet. The battery may be carried in a water-proof case and carriedon or in the strap, in the body of the goggle, or in the user'sclothing.

This aspect of the invention addresses and alleviates problems presentedby conventional goggles in that it provides for an easilyinterchangeable lens in a goggle that is also adapted for fog-freewearing pleasure. Thus, users are enabled in interchanging one fog-freelens with another fog-free lens to adapt to varying lighting and weatherconditions without enduring the hassle associated with conventionalgoggles to successfully get the lens back in the frame. Further, usersare enabled in interchanging a non-fog-free lens with a fog-free lens,as both types of lenses are interchangeable with the present invention.By minimizing the number of steps a user must take to interchangelenses, as well as to use the fog-free characteristics of the presentinvention, users will be more apt to use and benefit from the featuresof the improved goggle.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided ananti-fog, interchangeable-lens goggle adapted for use with a batterycomprising: a body, an anti-fog lens, engagement mechanism for bothinterconnecting the lens to the body and the lens to the battery, andstrap means for holding the goggle on a user's head.

The body, lens and strap portions of this aspect of the invention arelike the body, lens and strap portions in accordance with the aspect ofthe invention described above, and it will be apparent that varioustypes of electrically heated lenses, such as resistive elementcoating-type lenses, embedded wire-type lenses, resistive elementlenses, etc., may be adapted for use with the goggle of the inventionwithout departing from the true scope and spirit of the invention as setforth in the claims appended hereto.

The engagement mechanism is adapted for interconnecting the anti-fogheating element of the lens with the battery, a part of the engagementmechanism being connected to the body and a part of the engagementmechanism being connected to the lens. The engagement mechanism ispreferably operable between first engaged and second disengagedpositions, wherein operation of the engagement mechanism to the firstengaged position releasably interconnects the lens with the semi-rigidanterior portion of the body and releasably interconnects the anti-fogheating element of the lens with the battery. Operating of theengagement mechanism to the second disengaged position removes the lensfrom the semi-rigid anterior portion of the body and disconnects theanti-fog heating element of the lens from the power source.

The interconnection mechanism of the goggle in accordance with thisaspect of the invention further comprises tongue-and-groove memberswherein one of the tongue-and-groove is on a periphery of the lens andthe other of the tongue-and-groove is on a periphery of the anteriorportion of the body. Alternatively, the interconnection mechanismfurther comprises cap-and-ridge members wherein the cap is on aperiphery of the lens and the ridge is on a periphery of the anteriorportion of the body.

This aspect of the invention further simplifies the interchanging of alens on a goggle that is adaptable to anti-fogging incorporated into oronto the lens in that only a single step, essentially peeling one lensoff the anterior periphery of the goggle, is required for the user toremove the lens, and a single step, essentially engaging the anteriorperiphery with the periphery of another lens, is required. Making of theelectrical connection with the power source with this aspect of theinvention is essentially simultaneous, or automated, with interchangingof the lens, without any additional steps being further necessary tomake the connection for power to the lens. Of course, it may beadvantageous to provide an on/off switch (in actuality typically ahigh/low power switch) on the battery power system to allow conservationof battery power when not in use, but operation of such is not seen asan additional step to interchanging of lenses, since such interchangingmay be accomplished with no risk to the user or the system inlow-voltage power systems without first switching off the battery.

The anti-fog, interchangeable-lens goggle of this aspect of theinvention may further comprise an interconnection mechanism, a part ofthe interconnection mechanism being connected to the body and a part ofthe interconnection mechanism being connected to the lens. Theinterconnection mechanism in accordance with this aspect of theinvention is for reinforcing engagement of the lens and the semi-rigidanterior portion of the body. The interconnection mechanism may comprisea plurality of hooks, at least one hook depending from the first end ofthe lens, at least one hook depending from the second end of the lens,the interconnection mechanism further comprising a plurality of latches,at least one latch being pivotably attached to the first end of thebody, at least one latch being pivotably attached to the second end ofthe body. Each latch engages with one of the hooks to releasablyinterconnect the lens with the semi-rigid anterior portion of the bodyand to releasably interconnect the anti-fog heating element of the lenswith the battery in the first engaged position of each latch. In asecond, disengaged, position of each latch, the lens is released fromthe semi-rigid anterior portion of the body, and the anti-fog heatingelement of the lens is disconnected from the battery.

The interconnection mechanism of this aspect of the invention mayalternatively comprise a plurality of latching gates, at least one gatebeing pivotably attached to the first end of the body, at least one gatebeing pivotably attached to the second end of the body. Each such gateis operable to a first position to bias an end of the lens against thebody, thus reinforcing attachment of the lens on the body, each gatealso interconnecting the heating element of the lens and the battery.Each such gate is also operable to a second position to release the lensfor removal from the body and to disconnect the heating element of thelens from the battery.

Further, in accordance with this aspect of the invention, theinterconnection mechanism may alternatively comprise a silicone band andpost combination, an outer silicone skin or peripheral member, or apop-off face with clip-type interconnections, all as mentionedpreviously in connection with a previous aspect of the invention.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided agoggle with an easily interchangeable lens adapted for accommodatingvarious weather, lighting and fogging conditions comprising: a body, alens, a peel-off horizontal tongue-and-groove engagement mechanism forreleasably interconnecting the lens and the body, and a strap means.

The body, lens and strap of this aspect of the invention is like thebody, lens and strap of other aspects of the invention described above.The peel-off horizontal tongue-and-groove engagement mechanism comprisesone of the tongue-and-groove being attached around the periphery of thelens, the other of the tongue-and-groove being attached around theperiphery of the semi-rigid anterior portion of the body, for releasablyinterconnecting the lens and the semi-rigid anterior portion of thebody. Alternatively, the goggle in accordance with this aspect of theinvention may comprise a peel-off cap-and-ridge engagement mechanism,the cap being attached around the periphery of the lens, the ridge beingattached around the periphery of the semi-rigid anterior portion of thebody, for releasably interconnecting the lens and the semi-rigidanterior portion of the body.

The goggle provided in accordance with this aspect of the invention issuitable for use with or without a heated lens, it being the case thatthe user may have at ready whichever type of goggle lens the user needsgiven weather, lighting and fogging conditions, such as relativehumidity inside and outside of the goggle, outside temperature, bodytemperature, difficulty of terrain leading to greater exertion, andbarometric pressure conditions. Users of goggles rarely can anticipatewith certainty what such conditions will be on any given day, so it isimportant to have a goggle that is widely adaptable to the many andvaried conditions that may be encountered on any given day.

The goggle in accordance with this aspect of the invention, regardlessof whether a tongue-and-groove or cap-and-ridge engagement mechanism isemployed, may further comprise interconnection mechanism, such as alatch depending from the body and operable between open and closedpositions such that in the closed position the latch biases the lensonto the semi-rigid anterior portion of the body and thus reinforces thereleasable interconnection of the lens and the semi-rigid anteriorportion of the body, and in the open position of the latch the lens isreleased for removal from the semi-rigid anterior portion of the body.

Further, in accordance with this aspect of the invention, theinterconnection mechanism may alternatively comprise a silicone band andpost combination, an outer silicone skin or face, or a pop-off face withclip-type interconnections, all as mentioned previously in connectionwith the first aspect of the invention.

Moreover, the lens of the goggle in accordance with this aspect of theinvention, again regardless of whether a tongue-and-groove orcap-and-ridge engagement mechanism is employed, or regardless of whethera latch, a silicone band-and-post combination, an outer silicone skin orface, or a pop-off face is employed, may further comprise an anti-fogheating element on the lens and adapted for connection with a battery.In such case, interconnection of the lens to the body also connects theanti-fog heating element on the lens with the battery.

Thus, the goggle in accordance with this aspect of the invention isreadily adapted for use with fully interchangeable lenses, whether theybe lenses for a sunny day with, or without, anti-fog means incorporated,whether they be lenses for a cloudy day with, or without, anti-fog meansincorporated, or whether they be lenses adapted for rain, or heavy snow,or some weather condition in-between. In such case the user will beencouraged to make appropriate lens changes, thus contributing to thesafety of clearer vision through an appropriately chosen goggle by usingthe goggle of the invention, because interchanging of the lens andvirtually automated interconnection of an electrical heat source to thegoggle, when desirable, is assured.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, there isprovided a goggle having an anti-fog, interchangeable-lens and adaptedfor use with a battery comprising: a semi-rigid peripheral body havingfirst and second ends, an anterior portion and a posterior portion; aperipheral lens frame having a semi-flexible anterior portion adaptedfor engaging the semi-rigid posterior portion of the peripheral body,the lens frame having a flexible posterior portion adapted for engagingthe user's face around the user's eyes; a lens mounted in the lens frameand having an electric heating element thereon, the lens and the lensframe defining a single goggle enclosure and so as to provide a shieldto the eyes. This embodiment of the goggle further comprises anengagement mechanism, having a portion thereof attached to the lensframe and a portion thereof attached to the body, for releasablyinterconnecting the lens frame and the semi-flexible posterior portionof the body; interconnecting strap means depending from the body andadapted for detachably interconnecting the heating element of the lensand the battery, the interconnecting strap means operable with theengagement mechanism such that interconnecting the heating element ofthe lens with the battery also reinforces interconnecting of the lenswith the semi-rigid anterior portion of the body, and such thatdisconnecting the heating element and the battery also releases the lensfor disengagement from the semi-rigid posterior portion of the body, thestrap means adapted for holding the goggle on one of a user's head andhelmet. Preferably, the goggle body of this embodiment of the inventionis adapted for holding the battery, and further, preferably, the body ofthis embodiment further comprises an on/off switch for the battery and atest button for signaling battery strength. Alternatively, the batterymay be carried on a posterior body portion of the goggle while the lensand peripheral frame may be adapted to attach to an anterior portion ofthe body while the strap holds the body and frame together, thusreinforcing the interconnection between the battery and the heatingelement of the lens. These additional features of the invention renderit even easier to operate the goggles in an anti-fog mode, since simplyplacing the goggles on the user's head would serve to reinforce theengagement of the easily interchangeable lens and the body of the goggleand would also serve to make an electrical connection between theheating element of the goggle and the battery power sources. With thisembodiment of the invention, as with other embodiments and aspects ofthe invention, the battery may be carried on, or in, the strap, withwires passing through, or externally of, the strap to the body of thegoggle, or lens frame, as the case may be.

The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed outand distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification.However, both the organization and method of operation, together withfurther advantages and objects thereof, may best be understood byreference to the following descriptions taken in connection withaccompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to likeelements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an anti-fog, interchangeable-lens gogglein accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the goggle of FIG. 1 shown strapped on auser's head and with a water-proof battery pack attached to a strapportion of the goggle;

FIG. 3 a is a front plan view of an un-tinted lens portion of the goggleof FIG. 1 and having resistive-coating anti-fog means thereon;

FIG. 3 b is a front plan view of an alternate, tinted, lens portion ofthe goggle of FIG. 1 and having resistive-wire anti-fog means thereon;

FIG. 3 c is a front plan view of another alternate, differently tinted,lens portion of the goggle of FIG. 1 and not having anti-fog meansthereon;

FIG. 4 a is a top view of a tongue-and-groove engagement mechanismalternate embodiment of a goggle showing the detachable lens and gogglebody portions thereof in cross-section as shown generally in FIG. 4 kand prior to the detachable lens being installed on the goggle body;

FIG. 4 b is a top view of an alternate tongue-and-groove engagementmechanism embodiment of a goggle in accordance with the inventionshowing the lens and body of the goggle in cross-section as showngenerally in FIG. 4 k, not having a reinforcing latch or gate, and thelens having been installed on the goggle body;

4 c is a top view of another alternate tongue-and-groove engagementmechanism embodiment of a goggle in accordance with the inventionshowing an anti-fog goggle lens and body of the goggle in cross-sectionas shown generally in FIG. 4 k, having a reinforcing gate, and havingbeen partially installed on the goggle body;

FIG. 4 d is a top view of the alternate tongue-and-groove engagementmechanism embodiment of FIG. 4 c but showing a non-anti-fog goggle lensof the goggle in cross-section as shown generally in FIG. 4 k, having areinforcing gate, and having been installed on the goggle body;

FIG. 4 e is a top view of an alternate tongue-and-groove engagementmechanism embodiment anti-fog goggle showing the lens of the goggle inthe lens frame in cross section as shown generally in FIG. 4 k, with thestraps of the goggle on the goggle body such that wearing of the gogglebiases a switch in the goggle to activate anti-fog circuitry within thegoggle frame;

FIG. 4 f is a perspective view of an alternate silicone band and postinterconnection mechanism for an anti-fog goggle with the lens frame andgoggle body portions of the goggle shown as exploded modular components;

FIG. 4 g is a perspective view of an alternate silicone skin or faceinterconnection mechanism for an anti-fog goggle with the silicone skinor face, the lens and the goggle body portions of the goggle shown asexploded modular components;

FIG. 4 h is a perspective view of an alternate snap-on faceinterconnection mechanism for an anti-fog goggle with the face, lens andgoggle body portions of the goggle shown as exploded modular components;

FIG. 4 i is a perspective view of an alternate clip-on full lens faceinterconnection mechanism for an anti-fog goggle with the lensface/frame and goggle body portions of the goggle shown as explodedmodular components;

FIG. 4 j is a perspective view of an alternate clip on lensinterconnection mechanism for an anti-fog goggle with the face, lensframe and goggle body portions of the goggle shown as exploded modularcomponents;

FIG. 4 k is a front view of a generic anti-fog goggle demonstrating thecross section cuts taken for FIGS. 4 a-4 e;

FIG. 5 a is a detailed view showing part of the wiring andinterconnection mechanism of an embodiment of the goggle of FIG. 4 a,with the lens shown in cross-section and prior to installation on thebody of the goggle;

FIG. 5 b is a detailed view showing part of the wiring andinterconnection mechanism of the embodiment of the goggle of FIG. 4 a,with the lens shown in cross-section and partially installed on the bodyof the goggle;

FIG. 5 c is a detailed view showing part of the wiring andinterconnection mechanism of the embodiment of the goggle of FIG. 4 a,with the lens shown in cross-section and installed on the body of thegoggle;

FIG. 6 is a top section view showing yet another alternate embodimentengagement mechanism comprising a cap-and-ridge engagement mechanism fora goggle in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 7 shows front, side and back views of an alternate water-proofbattery pack suitable for primary or backup secondary power having aclip for attaching to a goggle strap, other equipment or other clothingand suitable for use with an anti-fog, interchangeable-lens goggle inaccordance with the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, there are shown interchangeable lens gogglecomponents for an embodiment of an interchangeable lens goggle 100 thatcomprises a body 102, an easily interchangeable lens 104, a lens-to-bodyengagement mechanism 106, an optional interconnection means or mechanism108 and a strap 110 all providing a goggle that enables easy adaptationto varying weather, lighting and goggle fogging conditions.

Used as an anti-fog goggle 100, the lens 104 of the goggle furthercomprises resistive-wire anti-fog means 112 that is connected to awater-proof power supply 114 via a power supply cable 116. Referring toFIG. 7, the power supply 114 may be suitably comprised of a lithium-ion,or lithium-poly, battery conventionally used in cell-phones, the batterybeing housed in a plastic-waterproof case 119 with an O-ring seal 710and a rotatable clip 701 for attachment to clothing or a goggle strap110 as shown in FIG. 2. Preferably, the battery 114 includes an on-offswitch 118, a battery-life indicator switch 120 and battery-life indicia122, such as varied color indicator LEDs, for demonstrating batterystrength to the user of the goggle 100. The lens 104 further comprises alens frame 117 which comprises an anterior portion, or surface, ofengagement mechanism 106, the engagement mechanism 106 comprising anyreleasable attachment mechanism such as a horizontally disposedtongue-and-groove engagement mechanism as shown in FIG. 4 a, or acap-and-ridge engagement mechanism as shown in FIG. 6.

Body 102 comprises a posterior flexible portion 101, including foam orrubber-type materials for interfacing with the use's face as known inthe art and an anterior more rigid, in effect semi-rigid, lightweightplastic, or other suitable material, portion 103 for interfacing withthe lens 104. The posterior flexible portion 101 of the body 102 engagesthe user's face around the user's eyes and on the bridge of the user'snose, and the body 102 further comprises an anterior periphery aroundwhich is installed part of the engagement mechanism 106, whether it bethe tongue part 409 of a tongue-and-groove engagement mechanism as shownin FIG. 4 a, or whether it be a ridge part 609 of a cap-and-ridgeengagement mechanism as shown in FIG. 6. Whichever part of theengagement mechanism is on the periphery of the anterior portion 103 ofthe body 102, the corresponding engagement member is to be attached onthe lens 104, as further described herein, and the two parts of theengagement mechanism 106 interface, engage and enable releasable,attachment of the lens to the body. This attachment may, but need notseal the lens 104 to the body 102. The lens 104 is adapted for engagingthe semi-rigid anterior portion of the body 102 a distance from theuser's eyes so as to provide a shield to the eyes.

Referring to FIG. 1, interconnection mechanism 108 comprises a drawlatch 109 that hooks into preferably metalized indentations 111 on lens104. A preferably metal thumb press portion 113 of the draw latchenables the user to push the draw latch down to interconnect the gogglebody 102 and the lens 104. Not only does the draw latch 109 serve toreinforce engagement of the lens 104 on the body 102, but it furtherestablishes an electrical connection between the anti-fog resistivemeans 112 on the lens and the battery-operated power source 114 via wire116 and as further described herein in connection with FIG. 4 a.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there are shown interchangeable lens gogglecomponents for another embodiment of an interchangeable lens goggle 100′that comprises a body 102, an easily interchangeable lens 104, alens-to-body engagement mechanism 106, an optional interconnectionmechanism 108′ and a strap 110 all providing a goggle that enables easyadaptation to varying weather, lighting and goggle fogging conditions.The strap 110 is shown attached to an outer body periphery portion 105with a pair of swivel rings 430. Wiring 116 may be either detachablewith an appropriate plug 432, or simply hard-wired to the outer bodyperiphery portion 105 of the body 102.

The primary difference between the goggle 100 of FIG. 1 and the goggle100′ of FIG. 2, is that the buckle portion 115′ of the draw latch 109′of the goggle 100′ pivots on the draw latch, whereas the buckle portion115 of the draw latch 109 of goggle 100 is integral with the draw latch.As a result, some of the internal workings of the draw latchs 109, 109′may be slightly different between the two embodiments, but theirfunction to clamp onto a hook portion 111, 410 of the lens 104, in orderto secure engagement of the lens 104 onto the body 102 of the goggle,and also thereby make the interconnection between the heating elementanti-fog resistive means 112 of the lens 104, and the battery 114, isessentially the same with either embodiment.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 a-c, there are shown front plan views of lensportions of three different embodiments of the invention. FIG. 3 a showsa lightly tinted, or un-tinted, lens portion 104′ of a goggle inaccordance with the invention and having resistive-coating, film, “gel”or layer anti-fog means 112′ thereon. FIG. 3 b shows an alternateembodiment, tinted lens portion 104″ of a goggle in accordance with theinvention and having resistive-wire anti-fog means 112 thereon. FIG. 3 cshows another alternate embodiment, differently tinted, lens portion104′″ of a goggle in accordance with the invention and not having anybattery-heated anti-fog means thereon.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 a-c, 4 a and 6, attachment of the tongue 409,groove 407 or ridge 609 portion of the engagement mechanism 106 to anyof the lens portions 104, 104′, 104″, 104′″ is accomplished throughmolding, gluing and/or physical pin/rivet type attachment means, itbeing the case that, where possible, the attachment of the tongue,groove or ridge may be preferably integrally formed with the lens frameportion 117, or molded around the entire periphery of the lens frameportion 117 in durable sealed fashion.

Referring more specifically to FIGS. 3 a-c, a plurality of lenses ofdiffering shade tints and differing anti-fog means characteristics areshown. The lens 104′ of FIG. 3 a comprises a clear lens surface 302,having an anti-fog resistive coating 112′ included thereon with a clearbacking, or double-lens construction as known in the art, to protect theanti-fog surface from being scratched off as may be necessary. Theanti-fog resistive coating 112′ preferably comprises an Indium Tin Oxide(ITO) compound that may be sprayed, deposited with a knownion-sputtering technique, painted or otherwise layered or applied. Thefilm heating member 112′ may be comprised of another material designedin the form of a resistive element that generates heat when connected toan electrical circuit without departing from the true scope and spiritof the invention.

Lens 104′ further comprises interconnection/engagement hooks, plates orindentations 410 adapted for allowing a positive electrical connectionvia interconnection mechanism 108, or other interconnection mechanismdisclosed hereafter, to the power source 114 via power supply cable 116.Lens 104′ further comprises part of engagement mechanism 106, whether itbe a tongue-and-groove type engagement mechanism, for example as shownat 407, 409 in FIG. 4 a, where the part of the engagement mechanism 106shown in FIG. 3 a on the lens may comprise either the tongue or thegroove, or a cap-and-ridge type engagement mechanism, for example asshown at 607, 609 in FIG. 6, where the part of the engagement mechanism106 shown in FIG. 3 a on the lens preferably comprises the cap. Ineither case, the part of the engagement mechanism 106 that that isassociated with the lens 104′ is interconnected to the lens andpreferably extends around the entire periphery of the lens to allowformation of a complete, but releasable, attachment, or alternatively aseal, between the lens 104′ and the body 102 of the goggle 100.Attachment of the tongue 409, groove 407 or cap 607 portion of theengagement mechanism 106 to the lens 104′ is accomplished throughmolding, gluing and/or physical pin/rivet type attachment means, itbeing the case that, where possible, the attachment of the tongue,groove or cap may be preferably integrally formed with the lens surface302, or tightly molded around the lens surface in durable fashion, asfor example a seal with plastic or silicone.

Referring more specifically now to FIG. 3 b, a lens 104″ comprises atinted lens surface 302′, having an anti-fog resistive wire 112 includedthereon with a clear backing, or double-lens construction as known inthe art, to protect the anti-fog surface from being scratched off as maybe necessary. Lens 104″ further comprises interconnection/engagementhooks or plates 410 adapted for allowing a positive electricalconnection via interconnection mechanism 108, or other interconnectionmechanism described hereafter, to the power source 114 via power supplycable 116. Lens 104″ further comprises part of engagement mechanism 106,whether it be part of a tongue-and-groove type engagement mechanism, forexample as shown at 407, 409 in FIG. 4 a, where the part of theengagement mechanism 106 shown in FIG. 3 b on the lens may compriseeither the tongue or the groove, or a cap-and-ridge type engagementmechanism, for example as shown at 607, 609 in FIG. 6, where the part ofthe engagement mechanism 106 shown in FIG. 3 b on the lens preferablycomprises the cap. In either case, the part of the engagement mechanism106 that that is associated with the lens 104″ is interconnected to thelens and preferably extends around the entire periphery of the lens toallow formation of a complete, but releasable, attachment, oralternatively a seal, between the lens and the body 102 of the goggle100. Attachment of the tongue 409, groove 407 or cap 607 portion of theengagement mechanism 106 to the lens 104″ is accomplished throughmolding, gluing and/or physical pin/rivet type attachment means, itbeing the case that, where possible, the attachment of the tongue,groove or cap may be preferably integrally formed with the lens surface302′, or tightly molded around the lens surface in durable fashion aswith silicone or plastic.

Referring more specifically now to FIG. 3 c, a lens 104′″ comprises analternate tinted lens surface 302″, this time with no anti-fog resistivecoating or wire included thereon, to show that use of a non-anti-foglens with the goggles of the invention is allowable without damaging thesystem or even reducing battery life. This feature makes use of thegoggle more care-free, as whether the battery is switched on, or off,the user is encouraged in choosing a goggle that suits the weather,terrain, and lighting conditions of the moment. While lens 104′″ furthercomprises interconnection/engagement hooks or plates 410 adapted forallowing a positive electrical connection via interconnection mechanism108, or other interconnection mechanism described hereafter, in the casewhere a non-anti-fog lens without wiring is installed, theinterconnection mechanism does not establish an electrical connection tothe power source 114 via power supply cable 116, but the interconnectionmechanism still reinforces the engagement mechanism, depending upon theembodiment of the invention chosen, and as further described hereafter.Lens 104′″ further comprises part of engagement mechanism 106, whetherit be part of a tongue-and-groove type for example as shown at 407, 409in FIG. 4 a, where the part of the engagement mechanism 106 shown inFIG. 3 c on the lens may comprise either the tongue or the groove, or acap-and-ridge type engagement mechanism, for example as shown at 607,609 in FIG. 6, where the part of the engagement mechanism 106 shown inFIG. 3 c on the lens preferably comprises the cap. In either case, thepart of the engagement mechanism 106 that that is associated with thelens 104′″ is interconnected to the lens and preferably extends aroundthe entire periphery of the lens to allow formation of a complete, butreleasable, attachment, or alternatively a seal, between the lens andthe body 102 of the goggle 100. Attachment of the tongue 409, groove 407or cap 607 portion of the engagement mechanism 106 to the lens 104′″ isaccomplished through molding, gluing and/or physical pin/rivet typeattachment means, it being the case that, where possible, the attachmentof the tongue, groove or cap may be preferably integrally formed withthe lens surface 302″, or tightly molded around the lens surface indurable fashion as with silicone or plastic.

Referring now more specifically to FIGS. 4 a and 5 a-c, an alternateembodiment goggle 100′ is shown comprising a body 102, an easilyinterchangeable lens 104′, lens-to-body engagement mechanism 106comprising a tongue 409 and a groove 407, interconnection mechanism 108′and strap 110 all providing a goggle that enables easy adaptation tovarying weather, lighting and goggle fogging conditions. The goggle body102 and lens 104′ of goggle 100′ are comprised of similar materials tothose corresponding components described in connection with goggle 100.The lens 104′ is adapted for engaging the semi-rigid anterior portion ofthe body 102 a distance from the user's eyes so as to provide a shieldto the eyes.

The goggle 100′ would be used as an anti-fog goggle, since the lens 104′of the goggle 100′ further comprises resistive-film anti-fog means 112that is connected to a water-proof power supply 114 via a power supplycable 116. The power supply 114 comprises the same elements and featuresas further described herein.

Unlike the goggle 100 shown in FIG. 1, goggle 100′ comprises a differentstyle of interconnection mechanism 108′ comprising a draw latch 109′, orpressure latch, and hook 410 interconnection mechanism. Theinterconnection mechanism 108′ serves to reinforce the tongue-and-grooveengagement mechanism 407, 409 so that, for example during a fallencountered during more extreme physical activity, the lens 104′ doesn'tpop off on impact. Thus, the interconnection mechanism 108′ may in onesense be seen as optional as shown in FIG. 4 b, in that the engagementmechanism 407, 409 may be made with a tighter tolerance, or used formore sedate-type activity goggle wearing, in which case the engagementmechanism alone may be considered sufficient to engage the lens 104′with an outer periphery portion 105 of goggle body 102.

The interconnection mechanism 108′ further serves to create anelectrical connection between the resistive-film anti-fog means 112within the composite lens 104′ (e.g., comprising a main polycarbonatelens and a protective inner polymer coating) and the power supply 114upon interconnection of the lens 104′ and the body 102. Interconnectionmechanism 108′ comprises metal hooks 410 mounted on first and secondouter ends of the lens 104′. These hooks 410 differ somewhat fromcomparable indentations 111 in FIG. 1 where the anterior portion 115 ofinterconnection mechanism 108 engages into the indentations.Interconnection mechanism 108′ further comprises a draw latch 109′further comprising an alternate thumb press portion 113′ and a buckle115′. Resistive-film anti-fog means 112′ is placed on lens 104′ suchthat the resistive film 112′ interconnects by electrical connection wire420 passing through the lens frame 117. Buckle 115′ is also metal, as isdraw latch 109′ (and preferably thumb press 113′) such thatinterconnection of the buckle 115′ with the metal hooks 410 reinforcesthe engagement mechanism 106 and simultaneously closes a circuitcomprised of wiring 419, 116, resistive film 112′ (or alternativelyresistive wire 112), wire 420, metal hooks 410, latch or clip 115′, drawlatch 109′ and thumb press 113′. This is similar in function to theinterconnection mechanism 108. Thus, via interconnection mechanism 108′,the lens 104′ is secured to the body 102 simultaneously to when theelectrical interconnection between the anti-fog resistive means 112 andthe battery-operated power source 114 is securely made. Thus, thisaspect of the invention facilitates a minimum of steps, at most one ortwo steps, for interconnection of a new lens 104 with the power source114 such that users will be encouraged to use the same while engaging inthe activity for which the goggle has been designed.

In this way, the interconnection mechanism 108′ that is used toreinforce engagement of the lens 104′ by engagement mechanism 106,including groove 407 and tongue 409, also completes the above-describedcircuit, simultaneously with the reinforcement of the lens.

The tongue-and-groove engagement mechanism 409, 407 of the engagementmechanism 106, wherein the tongue 409 is shown depending from ananterior periphery portion 103 of the body 102, is shown with the tonguebeing formed onto or attached to the anterior periphery portion of thebody as further described herein. The groove 407 of thetongue-and-groove engagement mechanism 106 is formed into the lens frame117.

The strap 110 may comprise a conventional adjustable elastomeric strapthat is stretchy, and yet resilient, so as to allow comfortableretention of the goggle 100′ on the user's head or a helmet 8 as shownin FIG. 2. The strap is adjustable via adjustment members 121. Further,the waterproof battery case may be sewn into the strap 110 or otherwiseretained on or within the strap.

Referring specifically to FIG. 5 a, operation of the interconnectionmechanism 108″ comprising a draw latch 109″ is illustrated. In FIG. 5 a,a user is free to remove the lens 104′, because the latch or clip 115 isnot engaged on the hook 410 on the lens. If the user wants tointerconnect the groove 407 of the lens 104′ with the tongue 409 of thebody 102 and close the herein-described electrical circuit, he or shemust raise the thumb press 113″ of the draw latch 109″ and place thelatch 115 in the hook 410 as shown in FIG. 5 b. Once this has beenaccomplished, he or she may press on the thumb press 113″ and close thedraw latch 109″ as shown in FIG. 5 c such that the lens 104′ isreinforced on the tongue 409 of the body 102 and the circuit iscompleted to allow power to the resistive elements 112 on or in the lens104′.

Referring now to FIG. 4 b, an alternate embodiment of the invention isdisclosed wherein there is shown a goggle 100″. Like goggles 100′ and100, goggle 100″ also comprises a body 102′, further comprising an outerperiphery 105′, an anterior portion 103′ and a posterior portion 101′for engaging the user's face, a lens 104″, further comprising a lensframe 117″, and a strap 110. An engagement mechanism 106 is alsodisclosed with this embodiment of the invention and which comprisestongue 409 and groove 407. Like other embodiments of the invention, lens104″ comprises a lens surface 302 having particular tint characteristicsas desired, and further comprising resistive lens wiring 112 or film112′. Similar to goggles 100 and 100′, with goggle 100″ an electricalconnection is simultaneously made between the resistive-lens wiring 112,or alternatively resistive-film 112′, and a battery power source 114housed in a waterproof case 119, having an on/off switch 118, remainingbattery life switch 120 and battery life indicia 122, when the posteriorportion of lens 104″ is installed on the anterior portion 103′ of thebody 102′.

The primary difference between goggle 100″ and goggles 100, 100′, isthat goggle 100″ of FIG. 4 b does not include a draw latch typereinforcing interconnection mechanism. However, the tongue 409 andgroove 407 may be made with a stronger interconnection component betweenthem to reinforce engagement between the tongue and the groove. Thegoggle body 102′ and lens 104″ of goggle 100″ are comprised of similarmaterials to those described in connection with goggle 100. The lens104″ is adapted for engaging the semi-rigid anterior portion of the body102′ a distance from the user's eyes so as to provide a shield to theeyes.

There is an interconnection mechanism for interconnection of wiring 112,or film 112′, with battery source 114 included with goggle 100″. Theelectrical interconnection for the anti-fog means 112, or otherelectrical needs such as a heads up display system, comprises the factthat the inner surface of groove 407 is metalized and connecting to thewiring 112, or film 112′, while the tongue 409 is also metalized, toallow an electrical connection between them and the battery 114 viawires 419 and 116.

Referring now to FIG. 4 c, yet another alternate embodiment of theinvention is disclosed wherein there is shown a goggle 100′″. Like theother goggles comprising this invention, goggle 100′″ also comprises abody 102″, with an outer periphery 105″, a lens 104″, further comprisinga lens frame 117″, and a strap 110. An engagement mechanism 106 is alsodisclosed with this embodiment of the invention and which comprisestongue 409 and groove 407. Like other embodiments of the invention, lens104″ comprises a lens surface 302 having particular tint characteristicsas desired, and further comprising resistive lens wiring 112 or film112′. The goggle body 102″ and lens 104″ of goggle 100′″ are comprisedof similar materials to the similar components described in connectionwith goggle 100. The lens 104″ is adapted for engaging the semi-rigidanterior portion of the body 102″ a distance from the user's eyes so asto provide a shield to the eyes.

Similar to goggles 100, 100′, 100″, with goggle 100′″ an electricalconnection is simultaneously made between the resistive-wire 112, oralternatively resistive-film 112′, and a battery power source 114 housedin a waterproof case 119, having an on/off switch 118, remaining batterylife switch 120 and battery life indicia 122, when the posterior portionof lens 104″ is installed on the anterior portion 103 of the body 102′.

Goggle 100′″ of FIG. 4 c further comprises a gate-type latch reinforcinginterconnection mechanism 106″ further comprising a pivotable basemember 450 depending from and pivotable relative to the body 102″ onpivot 454, and a finger member 452. The gate latch interconnectionmechanism 106″ snaps into place on the body when a far end of the fingermember engages the frame 117″ or the surface 302 or 302′ of lens 104″,biasing the lens 104″ so that not only is the lens held in place, but anelectrical connection is also established between metalized innersurface 411 of the groove 407 and the metalized surface 417 of the post409, the groove being interconnected with the resistive heater element112 and the post being interconnected with the wiring 419, which is inturn connected to wiring 116 and the battery 114.

Referring now to FIG. 4 d, a goggle 100″″ also comprises a gate-typelatch reinforcing interconnection mechanism 106″ as described inconnection with FIG. 4 c, which further comprises a pivotable basemember 450 depending from and pivotable relative to the body 102″ onpivot 454, and finger member 452. The gate latch interconnectionmechanism 106″ snaps into place on the body 102″ when a far end of thefinger member engages the frame 117′″ or the surface 302″, biasing thelens 104′″ so that the lens is held in place. With this embodiment ofthe goggle, no electrical connection is established between a resistiveheater element 112, 112′ and a battery source 114, since there is noheater element 112, 112′ in lens 104′″.

This embodiment of FIG. 4 d illustrates the fact that while a switch 118on battery 114 may be employed either on, or off, when the battery isnot in use, placing a non-anti-fog lens in the goggle will not damage orunduly run down the battery. The embodiment of FIG. 4 d also illustrateshow various types of lenses may be interchanged with different gogglebodies employing different engagement and interconnection mechanismwithout departing from the true scope and spirit of the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 4 e, an alternate embodiment goggle 468 is showncomprising a peripheral inner lens frame 470 further comprising asemi-rigid to semi-flexible anterior portion 475 for retaining a lens476 and a softer, flexible, foam-rubber-like, posterior portion 479 forready engagement with a user's face adjacent the eyes and bridge of thenose as a single, open goggle enclosure.

The lens frame 470 defines a groove 474, that is at least partiallymetallized for electrical contact purposes, serving as part of aperipheral tongue-and-groove lens/body engagement member 480. The lens476 is retained in the inner lens frame 470 and has placed thereon aresistive, anti-fog, heating element 482, such as a resistive-filmheating element or resistive-wire heating element, the resistive heatingelement being electrically connected with the metalized groove 474 at477. The goggle 468 further comprises an anterior, peripheral,semi-rigid to semi-flexible body member 484 having first and second endsand further comprising a peripheral tongue 486, that is at leastpartially metallized for electrical contact purposes, for engagementwith the groove 474. The tongue 486 being electrically connected at 487with a wire 488 through an end 465, 467 of the body member 484 to abattery 490 also housed within the body member. The goggle body member484, lens frame 470 and lens 476 of goggle 468 are comprised of similarmaterials to those similar components described in connection withgoggle 100. The lens 476 is held a distance from the user's eyes by thelens frame 470 so as to provide a shield to the eyes.

The battery 490 connection to the resistive element 482 has an on/offswitch 492 carried on the body, and there is a battery test button 494carried on the body, and a battery strength indicator 495 also carriedon the body. Upon depressing the on/off switch 492, the battery strengthindicator 495, and a heat, or power level, indicator 499, are shown anddisplayed preferably within the goggle 468 to the user of the goggle.Goggle 468 further comprises a strap 496 attached via connectors 463 tothe ends 465, 467 of the body 484 for holding the goggle on the user'shead or helmet. The peripheral tongue 486 and groove 474 clearance mayoptionally be of a fit that holds the peripheral tongue and grooveslightly apart, as may be accomplished with a slight detent in thetongue and/or groove, so as to not make electrical contact between theresistive element 482 and the battery 490 until the user has placed thegoggle on his or her head such that the strap 496 overcomes the optionalspring bias or detent between the tongue and the groove. Alternatively,the tongue 486 and groove 474 clearance may be of a fit that biases theelectrical contacts in each together regardless of whether the strap 496is installed on a user's head. Of course, the goggle 468 may use aresistive wire or resistive film anti-fog means, or alternatively noanti-fog means, in the lens 476 thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 4 f, a goggle 500 is shown comprising an outerlens frame 502 preferably made of plastic, silicone or other resilient,or alternatively tacky or stretchy, material, which surrounds theperiphery of a lens 504. Lens 504 has either a resistive wire 112, orresistive film 112′ anti-fog means heating element thereon. On each end503, 505 of the lens 504 there is a loop, or band, 506, 508 of stretchy,preferably silicone, material serving as an interconnection mechanism506, 508, for reinforcing engagement of the lens. Loop/bandinterconnection mechanism 508 preferably further comprises a pull tab510 at the furthest extent of the loop/band to facilitate easy grabbing,installation and removal of the loop/band interconnection mechanism fromthe lens frame 502.

Goggle 500 further comprises a goggle peripheral body 512 preferablymade of plastic that is semi-flexible, but resilient. On each end 511,513 of the plastic body 512 is a post 514, 515, respectively, each posthaving a channel 516, 517, respectively, formed around the post andadapted to receive and retain the corresponding stretchy siliconeloop/band 506, 508. While the goggle lens frame 502 may be made ofplastic or silicone, the goggle body 512 and lens 504 of goggle 500 arecomprised of similar materials to those described in connection withgoggle 100. The lens 504 is adapted for engaging the semi-rigid anteriorportion of the body 512 a distance from the user's eyes so as to providea shield to the eyes.

The lens frame 502 further comprises a pair of contacts 526, 528, onecontact at either end of the lens frame, and the goggle body 512 furthercomprises a pair of contacts 530, 532, one contact preferably beingprovided on an anterior portion of each post 514, 515. Depending fromeither end 511, 513 of the goggle body 512, the goggle 500 furthercomprises a silicone strap extension member 520, 522, respectively. Uponstretching the bands 506, 508 around their respective posts 514, 515,engagement of the lens frame 502 on the goggle body 512 is assured, andan electrical connection is made between the resistive-film anti-fogmeans 112′ and a battery 519 carried internally of the goggle body 512,or alternatively in the strap extension members 520, 522. The electricalconnection is made via contacts 526, 528 on the lens frame 502 andcontacts 530, 532 on the posts 514, 515, respectively, of the gogglebody 512.

As with other embodiments of the goggle of the present invention, thegoggle 500 further comprises a posterior foam rubber interface member524 attached to a posterior portion of the goggle body 512, such as bygluing, providing a comfortable interface of the goggle 500 on a user'sface, and a textile strap portion 507 for assisting with retention ofthe goggle on a user's head or helmet.

Goggle 500 further comprises a button 534, 536 on each end 511, 513,respectively, of the goggle body 512, preferably on posts 514, 515,respectively, for controlling on/off and heat level of the anti-fogmeans 112, or 112′, on the lens 504. Upon depressing the on/off button534, heat source 519 is switched on. Alternatively, a battery-strengthindicator (not shown), and a heat, or power level, indicator (notshown), may be displayed preferably within the goggle 500 to the user ofthe goggle. Depressing the on/off button 534 again turns off the heat,or more accurately reduces it to an extremely low power state.Depressing the button 536 adjusts the power level applied to theanti-fog means 112′, (or alternatively 112 not shown) and also causesthe power level display 540 to indicate the level of power being appliedto the anti-fog means. After a short time, preferably, the indicators538 and 540 turn off so as to not unduly distract the user. Thecircuitry 588 also interconnects a standard USB or other power connectorcharging receptacle 575, the battery 519, logic for controlling poweron/off, power level increase/decrease, power level indication, andbattery level indication using electric light pipes, for example.

Referring now to FIG. 4 g, there is provided an alternate embodimentgoggle 600 in accordance with the present invention. The goggle 600comprises a body 612, having ends 611, 612 with silicone extensionmembers 620, 622 depending therefrom. The goggle body 612 furthercomprises a plurality of attachment receptacles 605, at least oneattachment lower lip 603 and a battery power source 619 internal of thegoggle body 612. The power source 619 may be alternatively carried onthe silicone extension members 620, 622. Goggle 600 further comprises aseparate lens 604 having resistive-film/coating anti-fog means 112′, oralternatively resistive-wire anti-fog means 112 thereon. Contacts 624,626 are provided on goggle body 612, and corresponding contacts 628, 630are provided on lens 604 for enabling interconnecting of the resistiveheating means 112′ of the lens with the battery power source 619. Anouter face member 602 is provided for interconnecting the lens 604 withthe goggle body 612, the outer face member being preferably made ofsilicone and having a lower outer lip 632 for releasably engaging thelower lip 603 of the goggle body. The outer face member 602 furthercomprises an upper nub 635 and side nubs 635 for insertion in attachmentreceptacles 605 of the goggle body 612, thus interconnecting thesilicone face member and the goggle body with the lens being interposedand held in place between the goggle body and the silicone face member.While the goggle face/skin 602 is preferably comprised of silicone, thegoggle body 612 and lens 604 of goggle 600 are comprised of similarmaterials to those described in connection with goggle 100. The lens 604is adapted for engaging the semi-rigid anterior portion of the body 612a distance from the user's eyes so as to provide a shield to the eyes.

The anti-fog means 112′ on the lens 604 thus makes contact with thegoggle body 612 via contacts 624, 626, 628, 630.

Electrical circuitry 688 like that shown in connection with FIG. 4 e isprovided within the goggle body 612 of goggle 600, with contacts (e.g.,buss bars) 628, 630 on the lens 604 being similar to contacts 477 shownin FIG. 4 e, and contacts 624, 626 on the goggle frame being similar tocontacts 487 shown in FIG. 4 e, with wiring 688 running through thegoggle body 612 to interconnect the resistive-film heating means 112′,the battery 619, the USB, or other power connection, charging receptacle675, the on/off button 634, the power level adjustment button 636 andthe indicators 638, 640.

As with other embodiments of the goggle of the present invention, thegoggle 600 further comprises a posterior foam rubber interface member625 attached to a posterior portion of the goggle body 612, such as bygluing, providing a comfortable interface of the goggle 600 on a user'sface. The goggle 600 also preferably comprises a textile strap portion607. The goggle body 612 may also include vents 621 therein to assistwith ventilation for removal of condensate and fogging, in case thebattery 619 has died, or in the case of a lens 604 not havinganti-fogging means 112′, or 112, thereon.

Goggle 600 further comprises a button 634, 636 on each end 611, 613,respectively, of the goggle body 612, for controlling on/off and heatlevel of the anti-fog means 112, or 112′, on the lens 604. Upondepressing the on/off button 634, the power source 619 is switched on(into the circuit), and a battery strength indicator 638 and a heat, orpower level, indicator 640, are displayed preferably within the goggle600 to the user of the goggle. Depressing the on/off button 634 againturns off the heat, or more accurately reduces it to an extremely lowpower state. Depressing of the button 636 adjusts the power levelapplied to the resistive-coating/film anti-fog means 112′, oralternatively resistive-wire anti-fog means 112 (not shown), and alsocauses the power level display 640 to indicate the level of power beingapplied to the anti-fog means. After a short time, preferably, theindicators 638 and 640 turn off so as to not unduly distract the user.The circuitry 688 also interconnects a preferably standard USB chargingreceptacle 675, the battery 619, logic for controlling power on/off,power level increase/decrease, power level indication, and battery levelindication using electric light pipes, for example.

Referring now to FIG. 4 h, a goggle 700 that is similar to goggle 600 ofFIG. 4 g is shown. Like goggle 600, goggle 700 has a goggle body 712having silicone extension members 720, 722 depending therefrom. Goggle700 comprises a plurality of attachment slots 705, finger depressiondetachment aids 706, an attachment lower lip 703 and a battery powersource 719 carried on the silicone extension members 720, 722, oralternatively internal of the goggle body 712. Goggle 700 furthercomprises a separate lens 704 having resistive-wire anti-fog means 112or resistive-film anti-fog means 112′ thereon. Contacts 724, 726 areprovided on goggle body 712, and corresponding contacts 728, 730 areprovided on lens 704 for enabling interconnecting of the lens with thebattery power source 719. An outer pop-off face member 702 is providedfor interconnecting the lens 704 with the goggle body 712, the outerpop-off face member made of plastic and having a plurality of attachmentprongs 732 for releasably engaging the outer pop-off face member withthe goggle body. In this way, the outer pop-off face member 702 and thegoggle body 702 are interconnected with the lens 704 being interposedand held in place between the goggle body and the outer pop-off facemember. While the outer pop-off face member 702 may be comprised ofsilicone, the face member, the goggle body 712 and lens 704 of goggle700 are comprised of similar materials to those corresponding componentsdescribed in connection with goggle 100. The lens 704 is adapted forengaging the semi-rigid anterior portion of the body 712 a distance fromthe user's eyes so as to provide a shield to the eyes.

The anti-fog means 112′ on the lens is also held in place relative tothe goggle body 712 by the pop-off face member 702, and the anti-fogmeans thus makes contact with the goggle body via contacts 724, 726,728, 730.

Electrical circuitry like that shown in connection with FIG. 4 e isprovided within the goggle body 712 of goggle 700, with contacts (e.g.,buss bars) 728, 730 on the lens 704 being similar to contacts 477 shownin FIG. 4 e, and contacts 724, 726 on the goggle frame being similar tocontacts 487 shown in FIG. 4 e, with wiring 788 running through thegoggle body 712 to interconnect the resistive heating means 112′, thebattery 719, the USB, or other power connection, recharging receptacle775, the on/off button 734, the power level adjustment button 736 andthe indicators 738, 740.

As with other embodiments of the goggle of the present invention, thegoggle 700 further comprises a posterior foam rubber interface member725 attached to a posterior portion of the goggle body 712, such as bygluing, providing a comfortable interface of the goggle 700 on a user'sface. The goggle 700 also preferably comprises a textile strap portion707.

Goggle 700 further comprises a button 734, 736 on each end 711, 713,respectively, of the goggle body 712, for controlling on/off and heatlevel of the anti-fog means 112, or 112′, on the lens 704. Upondepressing the on/off button 734, the battery 719 is switched on (i.e.,into the circuit) to provide power to the resistive heating means 112′,a battery strength indicator 738, and a heat, or power level, indicator740, are displayed preferably within the goggle 700 to the user of thegoggle. Depressing the on/off button 734 again turns off the heat, ormore accurately reduces it to an extremely low power state. Depressingof the button 736 adjusts the power level applied to the anti-fog means112, or 112′, and also causes the power level display 740 to indicatethe level of power being applied to the anti-fog means. After a shorttime, preferably, the indicators 738 and 740 turn off so as to notunduly distract the user. The circuitry 788 also interconnects apreferably standard USB charging receptacle 775, the battery 719, logicfor controlling power on/off, power level increase/decrease, power levelindication, and battery level indication using electric light pipes, forexample.

Referring now to FIG. 4 i, an alternative embodiment goggle 800 isdisclosed comprising a goggle body 812 having ends 811, 813 with atextile strap 807 depending therefrom. The goggle body 812 has formedtherein a plurality of attachment clip receptacles 805 and a batterypower source 819 internal of the goggle body. Goggle 800 furthercomprises a lens 804 integrated onto a pop-off back frame 809, the backframe 809 being attachable and releasable from the goggle body 812, thelens having resistive-film anti-fog means 112′, or alternativelyresistive-wire anti-fog means 112, thereon. Power connector receptacles824, 826 are provided on the goggle body 812, and corresponding powerconnectors 828, 830 are provided on the pop-off back frame 809 forenabling interconnecting of the resistive anti-fog means 112′ of thelens 804 with the battery power source 819. Depending from and attachedto a posterior portion of the pop-off back frame 809 there are aplurality of depression snap fit clips 835 for insertion incorresponding attachment receptacles 805. Thus engaged, the pop-off backframe 809 and the goggle body 812 are releasably interconnected, and theanti-fog means 112′ of the lens 804 is electrically interconnected tothe battery 819 on the goggle body 812 via power connector sockets 824,826 and power connectors 828, 830. The lens 804 and lens back frame 809are held in place on the goggle body by the snap fit clips 835 retainedby hooks on the clips within the corresponding attachment receptacles805. Removal assist indentations 801 may be employed to help inseparation of the back frame 809 from the goggle body 812. The gogglebody 812, the lens back frame 809 and the lens 804 of goggle 800 arecomprised of similar materials to corresponding components (the lensback frame 809 roughly corresponding to the engagement mechanism 106described in connection with goggle 100. The lens 804 is adapted forengaging the semi-rigid anterior portion of the body 812 a distance fromthe user's eyes so as to provide a shield to the eyes.

Electrical circuitry similar to that shown in connection with FIG. 4 eis provided within the goggle body 812 of goggle 800, with powerconnectors 828, 830 on the lens back frame 809 being similar to contacts477 shown in FIG. 4 e, and power connector receptacles 824, 826 on thegoggle frame being similar to contacts 487 shown in FIG. 4 e, withwiring 888 running through the goggle body 812 and lens back frame 809to interconnect the resistive heating means 112′, the battery 819, theUSB, or other power connection, recharging receptacle 875, the on/offbutton 834, the power level adjustment button 836 and the indicators838, 840.

Goggle 800 further comprises a plurality of buttons 834, 836 on end 811of the goggle body 812, for controlling on/off and heat level of theanti-fog means 112, or 112′, on the lens 804. Upon depressing the on/offbutton 834, a battery strength indicator 838, and a heat, or powerlevel, indicator 840, are displayed preferably within the goggle 800 tothe user of the goggle. Depressing of the button 836 adjusts the powerlevel applied to the anti-fog means 112, or 112′, and also causes thepower level display 840 to indicate the level of power being applied tothe anti-fog means. After a short time, preferably, the indicators 838and 840 turn off so as to not unduly distract the user. The circuitry888 also interconnects a preferably standard USB charging receptacle875, the battery 819, logic for controlling power on/off, power levelincrease/decrease, power level indication, and battery level indicationusing a series of electric light pipes, for example.

Referring now to FIG. 4 j, there is shown a goggle 900, having a gogglebody 912 with ends 911, 913 and silicone extension members 920, 922depending in a flexible manner from each end 911, 913, respectively, anda textile strap 907 depending from each silicone extension member.Goggle 900 has a plurality of attachment receptacles 905 formed on ananterior front surface in the goggle body 912 and a battery power source919 carried in the silicone extension members 920, 922, oralternatively, internal of the goggle body 912 (not shown). Goggle 900further comprises a lens 904 carried in a peripheral pop-off lens frame909 and having resistive-film anti-fog means 112′, or alternativelyresistive-wire anti-fog means 112, thereon. Contacts 924, 926 areprovided on goggle body 912, and corresponding contacts 928, 930 areprovided on lens 904 for enabling interconnecting of the lens with thebattery power source 919 through connectors 997, 998. An outer peel-offsilicone face member/skin 902 is provided for covering the pop-off lensframe 909, the outer peel-off silicone face member/skin comprising aninner lip 950 around the a posterior periphery thereof for engaging anouter lip 952 on the periphery of the pop-off lens frame 909 and comesin a variety of colors and patterns for style purposes. While the outerpeel-off face member 902 is preferably comprised of silicone, thepop-off lens frame 909, the goggle body 912 and lens 904 of goggle 900are comprised of similar materials to those corresponding componentsdescribed in connection with goggle 100. The lens 904 is adapted forengaging the semi-rigid anterior portion of the body 912 a distance fromthe user's eyes so as to provide a shield to the eyes.

The pop-off lens frame 909 further comprises a plurality of attachmentprongs 932 with finger depressions 933 for releasably engaging thepop-off lens frame with the attachment receptacles 905 on the gogglebody 912 thus interconnecting the pop-off lens frame member and retainedlens 904 and the goggle body with the lens being releasably held inplace on the goggle body 912. Thus held in place by the attachmentprongs 932 engaged in the attachment receptacles 905, the anti-fog means112′ on the lens is enabled and reinforced in making contact with thegoggle body via contacts 924, 926, 928, 930.

Goggle 900 further comprises a plurality of buttons 934, 936 on end 911,913, respectively, of the goggle body 812, for controlling on/off andheat level of the anti-fog means 112, or 112′, on the lens 904. Upondepressing the on/off button 934, power to the anti-fog means 112′ issupplied by switching the battery into the circuit, a battery strengthindicator 938, and a heat, or power level, indicator 940, are displayedpreferably within the goggle 900 to the user of the goggle. Pressing theon/off button 934 again turns the battery off, or more accuratelyreduces it to a very low, negligible, power state. Depressing of thebutton 936 adjusts the power level applied to the anti-fog means 112, or112′, and also causes the power level display 940 to indicate the levelof power being applied to the anti-fog means. After a short time,preferably, the indicators 938 and 940 turn off so as to not undulydistract the user. Electrical circuitry 999 also interconnects a USB orother standard charging receptacle 975, the battery 919, logic forcontrolling power on/off, power level increase/decrease, power levelindication, and battery level indication using a series of electriclight pipes, for example.

The electrical circuitry 999 is similar to that shown in connection withFIG. 4 e is provided within the goggle body 912 of goggle 900, withcontacts 928, 930 on the lens 904 being similar to contacts 477 shown inFIG. 4 e, and contacts 924, 926 on the goggle body being similar tocontacts 487 shown in FIG. 4 e. Wiring 999 runs through the goggle body912 between the battery 919 and the resistive-coating/film heating means112′, or alternatively resistive-wire heating means 112 (not shown). Aswith all other embodiments of the invention, the circuitry 999 alsointerconnects a standard USB, or other standard charging, receptacle975, the battery 919, on/off button, power level increase/decrease,power level indication, and battery level indication using a pluralityof light pipes, for example.

As with other embodiments of the goggle of the present invention, thegoggle 900 further comprises a posterior foam rubber interface member925 attached to a posterior portion of the goggle body 912, such as bygluing, providing a comfortable interface of the goggle 900 on a user'sface. The goggle 900 also preferably comprises a textile strap portion907.

Referring now to FIG. 4 k, there is shown a front perspective view of agoggle in accordance with the present invention for purposes ofillustrating where the section is taken for FIGS. 4 a-4 e. The sectionline on FIG. 4 k may also be used as a reference to show generally wherethe sections for FIGS. 5 a-5 c and FIG. 6 are taken.

Referring now to FIG. 6, an alternate embodiment of the invention isdisclosed comprising a cap-and-ridge version of a goggle 650. Goggle 650comprises a lens 652 having a heating element 654 thereon, or therein.The heating element is electrically connected with wire 656 that runsthrough lens frame 658 which terminates in a cap edge 607. Lens 652 isof a size and shape that the periphery thereof corresponds with theperiphery of a body member 670 which terminates in a ridge portion 609adapted for receiving and releasably holding the cap edge 607 along theperiphery of each the cap and the ridge. Wire 658 in lens frame 658which terminates at contact 660. The lens 652 and the lens frame 658 maybe an integral unit made of plastic, or the frame may be installedaround the periphery of the lens. The goggle 650 further comprises agoggle body 670 preferably made of a flexible, but resilient, plasticmaterial. As with other embodiments of the invention, the goggle body670 further comprises at its posterior a foam-rubber-type interface 621for interfacing the goggle 650 with a user's face. Goggle body 670further comprises contact 662 and wiring 419.

Contact 660 is positioned so as to make electrical contact with contact662, which in turn is connected through the wire 419 embedded in body670 and wire 116 leading out of the body through optional plug 663 andinto the battery 114 via the strap 110. When a user wishes to changelens 652, he or she simply peels the lens off and replaces it withanother lens, thus easily engaging the lens 652 with the body 670, theuser thus automatically and simultaneously making the describedelectrical condition for the purpose of heating the goggle lens 652 withheating element 654 to provide anti-fogging capability.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown anddescribed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that manychanges and modifications may be made without departing from theinvention in its broader aspects. For example, it will be appreciatedthat one of ordinary skill in the art may mix and match the variouscomponents of the various embodiments of the invention without departingfrom the true spirit of the invention as claimed. Thus, by way ofexample, it will be appreciated that a cap-and-ridge engagementmechanism may be interchanged with a tongue-and-groove engagementmechanism in any embodiment without departing from the scope of theinvention. Further, interchanging lens colors or disclosed anti-fogcapability with alternate embodiment body or lens frame would likewisenot depart from the spirit and scope of the invention. The appendedclaims are therefore intended to cover all such changes andmodifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An anti-fog, interchangeable-lens goggle adaptedfor use with a battery comprising: a body having first and second ends,a flexible posterior portion adapted for engaging a user's face adjacentthe user's eyes and a semi-rigid anterior portion; a lens having ananti-fog heating element thereon, said lens adapted for engaging thesemi-rigid anterior portion of said body a distance from the user's eyesso as to provide a shield to the eyes; an engagement mechanism, having aportion thereof attached to said lens and a portion thereof attached tosaid body, for releasably interconnecting said lens and the semi-rigidanterior portion of said body; an interconnecting mechanism dependingfrom said body adapted for detachably interconnecting the heatingelement of said lens and the battery, said interconnecting mechanismoperable with said engagement mechanism such that interconnecting theheating element of said lens with the battery also reinforcesinterconnecting of said lens with the semi-rigid anterior portion ofsaid body, and such that disconnecting the heating element and thebattery also releases said lens for disengagement from the semi-rigidanterior portion of said body; and a strap having first and second ends,the first end of said strap means interconnected with the first end ofsaid body, and the second end of said strap means interconnected withthe second end of said body, adapted for holding the goggle on one of auser's head and helmet.
 2. The anti-fog, interchangeable-lens goggle ofclaim 1, wherein said engagement mechanism further comprisestongue-and-groove members wherein one of the tongue-and-groove is on aperiphery of said lens and the other of the tongue-and-groove is on aperiphery of the anterior portion of said body.
 3. The anti-fog,interchangeable-lens goggle of claim 1, wherein said engagementmechanism further comprises cap-and-ridge members wherein the cap is ona periphery of the lens and the ridge is on a periphery of the anteriorportion of the body.
 4. The anti-fog, interchangeable-lens goggle ofclaim 1, wherein said interconnecting mechanism adapted for detachablyinterconnecting the heating element of said lens and the battery furthercomprises a hook on said lens and a latch pivotably mounted to said bodyfor engagement with the hook of said lens, said latch operable to afirst position to bias an end of said lens against said body, thusreinforcing attachment of said lens on said body, and to interconnectthe heating element of said lens and the battery, said latch operable toa second position to release said lens for removal from said body and todisconnect the heating element of said lens from the battery.
 5. Theanti-fog, interchangeable-lens goggle of claim 1, wherein saidinterconnecting mechanism adapted for detachably interconnecting theheating element of said lens and the battery further comprises apivotable latching gate on said body, said gate operable to a firstposition to bias an end of said lens against said body, thus reinforcingattachment of said lens on said body, and to interconnect the heatingelement of said lens and the battery, said gate operable to a secondposition to release said lens for removal from said body and todisconnect the heating element of said lens from the battery.
 6. Theanti-fog, interchangeable-lens goggle of claim 1, wherein saidinterconnecting mechanism adapted for detachably interconnecting theheating element of said lens and the battery further comprises aplurality of stretchy bands depending from said lens and a correspondingplurality of posts on said body, wherein each said stretchy band isoperable to a first position looped around a corresponding post to biasa portion of the lens against said body, thus reinforcing attachment ofsaid lens on said body, and to interconnect the heating element of saidlens and the battery, each said stretchy band operable to a secondposition disconnected from the corresponding post to release said lensfor removal from said body and to disconnect the heating element of saidlens from the battery, and wherein said interconnecting mechanismfurther comprises a plurality of contacts between said heating elementof said lens and said battery-powered heat source, said contactsresiding in said stretchy bands and said corresponding posts.
 7. Theanti-fog, interchangeable-lens goggle of claim 1, wherein saidinterconnecting mechanism adapted for detachably interconnecting theheating element of said lens and the battery further comprises an outerperipheral member having a plurality of interconnection members aroundan inner periphery of the peripheral member, and a correspondingplurality of receptacles defined around an outer periphery of saidgoggle body, each receptacle adapted for receiving and retaining acorresponding interconnection member in a first closed position to biassaid lens on said body, thus reinforcing attachment of said lens on saidbody, and to interconnect the heating element of said lens and thebattery, said interconnection members being operable to an open positiondisconnected from their corresponding receptacles to disconnect theheating element of said lens from the battery.
 8. An anti-fog,interchangeable-lens goggle adapted for use with a battery comprising: abody having a first end, a second end, a flexible posterior portionadapted for engaging a user's face adjacent the user's eyes and having asemi-rigid anterior portion; a lens having a first end, a second end andan anti-fog heating element thereon, said lens adapted for engaging thesemi-rigid anterior portion of said body a distance from the user's eyesso as to provide a shield to the eyes; an engagement mechanism adaptedfor interconnecting the anti-fog heating element of said lens with thebattery, a part of the engagement mechanism being connected to said bodyand a part of the engagement mechanism being connected to said lens,said engagement mechanism being operable between first engaged andsecond disengaged positions, wherein operation of said engagementmechanism to the first engaged position releasably interconnects saidlens with the semi-rigid anterior portion of said body and releasablyinterconnects the anti-fog heating element of said lens with thebattery, and wherein operating of said engagement mechanism to thesecond disengaged position removes said lens from the semi-rigidanterior portion of said body and disconnects the anti-fog heatingelement of said lens from the power source; and strap means having firstand second ends, the first end of said strap means interconnected withthe first end of said body, and the second end of said strap meansinterconnected with the second end of said body, said strap meansadapted for holding the goggle on one of a user's head and helmet. 9.The anti-fog, interchangeable-lens goggle of claim 8, wherein saidengagement mechanism further comprises tongue-and-groove members whereinone of the tongue-and-groove is on a periphery of said lens and theother of the tongue-and-groove is on a periphery of the anterior portionof said body.
 10. The anti-fog, interchangeable-lens goggle of claim 8,wherein said engagement mechanism further comprises cap-and-ridgemembers wherein the cap is on a periphery of said lens and the ridge ison a periphery of the anterior portion of said body.
 11. The anti-fog,interchangeable-lens goggle of claim 8, further comprising aninterconnection mechanism, a part of the interconnection mechanism beingconnected to said body and a part of the interconnection mechanism beingconnected to said lens, for reinforcement of engagement of said lens andthe semi-rigid anterior portion of said body.
 12. The anti-fog,interchangeable-lens goggle of claim 11, wherein said interconnectionmechanism further comprises a plurality of hooks, at least one hookdepending from the first end of said lens, at least one hook dependingfrom the second end of said lens, said interconnection mechanism furthercomprising a plurality of latches, at least one latch being pivotablyattached to the first end of said body, at least one latch beingpivotably attached to the second end of said body, each said latchengaging with one of said hooks to releasably interconnect said lenswith the semi-rigid anterior portion of said body and to releasablyinterconnect the anti-fog heating element of said lens with the batteryin the first engaged position of each said latch, each said latchreleasing said lens from the semi-rigid anterior portion of said bodyand disconnecting the anti-fog heating element of said lens from thebattery-powered heat source in the second disengaged position of eachsaid latch.
 13. The anti-fog, interchangeable-lens goggle of claim 11,wherein said interconnection mechanism further comprises a plurality oflatching gates, at least one gate being pivotably attached to the firstend of said body, at least one gate being pivotably attached to thesecond end of said body, each said gate being operable to a firstposition to bias an end of said lens against said body, thus reinforcingattachment of said lens on said body, each said gate interconnecting theheating element of said lens and the battery, each said gate operable toa second position to release said lens for removal from said body and todisconnect the heating element of said lens from the battery.
 14. Theanti-fog, interchangeable-lens goggle of claim 11, wherein saidinterconnection mechanism adapted for detachably interconnecting theheating element of said lens and the battery further comprises aplurality of stretchy bands depending from said lens and a correspondingplurality of posts on said body, wherein each said stretchy band isoperable to a first position looped around a corresponding post to biasa portion of the lens against said body, thus reinforcing attachment ofsaid lens on said body, and to interconnect the heating element of saidlens and the battery, each said stretchy band operable to a secondposition disconnected from the corresponding post to release said lensfor removal from said body and to disconnect the heating element of saidlens from the battery, and wherein said interconnecting means furthercomprises a plurality of contacts between said heating element of saidlens and said battery-powered heat source, said contacts residing insaid stretchy bands and said corresponding posts.
 15. The anti-fog,interchangeable-lens goggle of claim 11, wherein said interconnectionmechanism adapted for detachably interconnecting the heating element ofsaid lens and the battery further comprises an outer peripheral memberhaving a plurality of interconnection members around an inner peripheryof the peripheral member, and a corresponding plurality of receptaclesdefined around an outer periphery of said goggle body, each receptacleadapted for receiving and retaining a corresponding interconnectionmember in a first closed position to bias said lens on said body, thusreinforcing attachment of said lens on said body, and to interconnectthe heating element of said lens and the battery, said interconnectionmembers being operable to an open position disconnected from theircorresponding receptacles to disconnect the heating element of said lensfrom the battery.
 16. A goggle with an interchangeable lens adapted foraccommodating various weather, lighting and fogging conditionscomprising: a body having first and second ends, a flexible posteriorportion adapted for engaging a user's face adjacent the user's eyes anda semi-rigid anterior portion; a lens adapted for engaging thesemi-rigid anterior portion of said body a distance from the user's eyesso as to provide a shield to the eyes; a peel-off, horizontaltongue-and-groove engagement mechanism, one of the tongue-and-groovebeing attached around the periphery of said lens, the other of thetongue-and-groove being attached around the periphery of the semi-rigidanterior portion of said body, for releasably interconnecting said lensand the semi-rigid anterior portion of said body; and strap means havingfirst and second ends, the first end of said strap means interconnectedwith the first end of said body, and the second end of said strap meansinterconnected with the second end of said body, said strap meansadapted for holding the goggle on a user's head.
 17. The goggle of claim16, further comprising a latch depending from said body and operablebetween open and closed positions such that in the closed position thelatch biases said lens onto the semi-rigid anterior portion of said bodyand thus reinforces the releasable interconnection of said lens and thesemi-rigid anterior portion of said body, and in the open position ofsaid latch said lens is released for removal from the semi-rigidanterior portion of said body.
 18. The goggle of claim 16, wherein saidlens further comprises an anti-fog heating element thereon and adaptedfor connection with a battery, and wherein interconnection of the lensalso connects the anti-fog heating element on said lens with thebattery.
 19. A goggle with an interchangeable lens adapted foraccommodating various weather, lighting and fogging conditionscomprising: a body having first and second ends, a flexible posteriorportion adapted for engaging a user's face adjacent the user's eyes anda semi-rigid anterior portion; a lens adapted for engaging thesemi-rigid anterior portion of said body a distance from the user's eyesso as to provide a shield to the eyes; a peel-off, cap-and-ridgeengagement mechanism, the cap being attached around the periphery ofsaid lens, the ridge being attached around the periphery of thesemi-rigid anterior portion of said body, for releasably interconnectingsaid lens and the semi-rigid anterior portion of said body; and strapmeans having first and second ends, the first end of said strap meansinterconnected with the first end of said body, and the second end ofsaid strap means interconnected with the second end of said body, saidstrap means adapted for holding the goggle on a user's head.
 20. Thegoggle of claim 19, further comprising a latch depending from said bodyand operable between open and closed positions such that in a closedposition the latch biases said lens onto the semi-rigid anterior portionof said body and thus reinforces the releasable interconnection of saidlens and the semi-rigid anterior portion of said body, and in the openposition of said latch said lens is released for removal from thesemi-rigid anterior portion of said body.
 21. The goggle of claim 19,wherein said lens further comprises an anti-fog heating element thereonand adapted for connection with a battery, and wherein interconnectionof the lens also connects the anti-fog heating element on said lens withthe battery.